I just took my MQX Challenge quilt off of the longarm. I know the judges will have a grand time with this one! I've never done trapunto before, never done a challenge quilt for a show and have never entered a quilt in a show, so I call this quilt "Courage". My big mistake was using a thread in the border that was too dark, so in many areas there is the appearance of "thread build up" where I've overlapped the quilting design too much. This quilt is rather stiff...not a good snuggle quilt!
Next comes blocking, binding, rinsing in cold water to remove the blue marks, warm water to remove the water soluble thread, adding three dimensional flowers and maybe a few beads. Of course, I've also never blocked a quilt and have no idea whether to bind first or block first, or how to go about blocking it! This is definitely a quilt of firsts! And it has to be in New Hampshire by April 3rd. I think I can, I think I can...
18 comments:
What a gorgeous quilt. I may have to try to get the show to see your quilt. It's only an hour from my house. Are you coming up for the show?
I don't typically block quilts either but I'm pretty sure you want to do it after the binding. Here's a quick summary from Alex Anderson:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_quilting_tips/article/0,1789,HGTV_3307_3877743,00.html
I'm sure you can! You are definitely courageous to be dealing with the timeline that you described, and it sounds as though you are organized and will make your deadline. It looks very nice. I hope that you win! Great work - and good luck. :)
Way to Go! talk about facing challenges head on, you just stacked them all up and knocked them down in one fell swoop. :-)
I admire your courage -- both the quilt and the new techniques you have challenged yourself with.
I came across this site while looking at the March edition of the Bent Needle recommended by Tonya over at Lazy Gal Quilting. Hope it helps --
http://goingtopieces.blogspot.com/2007/02/blockhead.html
Good luck in the competition. I think you block after the binding but I've never blocked a quilt either. I'm sure some of them would benefit from it though. I'll be watching to see how you do it.
You can DO it, you've gotten this far!
I block just my wall hangings after they have binding on them.
If after blocking, the quilt does not lay flat or hang straight, I have a tip that I use for mine and I'll be happy to write up a tutorial for you.
Will we see more of your challenge quilt soon or will you make us suffer and wait until April 3? That little bit just isn't enough! :o)
Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog!
If the judges don't like it----tough on them, it sure looks great from here! Good for you for trying something new and difficult.
here are some simple instructiosn on blocking
http://www.quiltuniversity.com/blocking.htm
if that helps?
Bind then block the quilt. I am proud of you for entering.
How beautiful, Carolyn! I think everyone will be eager to see the rest of the quilt when it's finished.
You can do it, girl!!! Good luck!
Kairle
I took ricki timms class and he's a big proponent of blocking a quilt after the quilting. He hand dyes all his fabric and suggests you use synthropol to wash it in so there is no bleeding of color. I did this and laid it on the floor and pinned it to block and the color bled from my brightest fabrics through to the back of the quilt. I did not prewash all my fabric and this I regret, only on this quilt-cause it never happened to me before.
The colors are great - am looking forward to seeing the whole quilt! "Courage" is a great name. I've never entered anything into a quilt show, never done trapunto and have never blocked a quilt either....good for you for doing all of those things.
Wow! That looks fabulous to me!!Tracey
I've never blocked a quilt. The quilting looks fabulous to me. I love trapunto too but have never done it. Well done for taking courage to do all those first :-)
Looks marvelous to me! I don't see anything to find fault with. I think most show quilts are so heavy with thread that they aren't snuggle quilts. I'm sure you'll do fine when it comes to judging. I've never blocked a quilt either. I know how but have no space to do it. My quilts are for using so I don't care if they aren't perfectly square.
It looks wonderful. I find it is best to block a quilt with a couple of friends, a bottle of wine and some cheesecake but that may just be me...
Such a lovely quilt. I wish you good luck with this delightful project. And if you win all the better, and if you don't it's still just as lovely!
Such a lovely quilt. I wish you good luck with this delightful project. And if you win all the better, and if you don't it's still just as lovely!
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